Bandwidth usage seems quite high, with an average page size of 137kb (which is quite large).

Reducing the size of your template could improve this significantly. If you view the source code of the page much is taken up by the page header which could be substantially optimised. Unfortunately, a lot of this is taken up by the MTC banner. I would ask them to come up with a more efficient approach (they use an image map which is killing your page size, when some html tomfoolery could deliver exactly the same functionality.

As to price, somewhere like: http://www.solid-hosting.net/standard.html seems to do things at a little over half the cost of the proposal you got. There's a number of them around, especially in the US. I'd recommend into that as an option.

Love the site. Can't imagine you won't cover it with donations. What's total sitting at?

I was thinking about it until I remembered that you had the audacity to suggest that JamesOwnsSam and I were the SAME person (just because I sent him some Messier photos from my personal Internet account)! This cougar-hunter roams solo!

Ok, yesterday the site was basically screwed ALL DAY. I tore a strip off Ipower, and I will be moving the site. I've had enough.

The search for a new host will begin immediately, as the hosting for this site runs out in May.

Here is an example of the crap I get everytime I try and get answers from Ipower:

Chat InformationPlease wait for a site operator to respond.Chat InformationYou are now chatting with 'Cindy R.'Cindy R.: Thank you for contacting IPOWER Live Chat. How can I help you?Brian: My site is on host212...the databases have been crashing all day...Cindy R.: I'll be happy to assist you.Brian: And I can't even log into my control panel...it takes forever, and then finally when it loads and I click on anything it says the session has expired.Brian: there is something seriously wrong with this server, and there has been for a while. I am not renewing my account in May...I've had enoughCindy R.: We are aware of the problem you are facing.Cindy R.: There is an issue with the server that you are hosted on.Cindy R.: It is being addressed by our system administrators.Cindy R.: Please allow some time for the resolution to be applied.Cindy R.: I apologize for any inconveniences this might have caused.Brian: same thing thats been happening for months, and I keep being told it will be resolved...as I said I will NOT be renewing my account.Brian: I would like a senior tech to follow up with me and tell me what the issue was/is.Cindy R.: Okay, I would escalate your issue to our Level 2 techs right now , Please hold for a moment I would escalate your issue right now.Cindy R.: Thank you for holding. I appreciate your patience.Cindy R.: I have forwarded your issue to our Level 2 techs, you would soon get the reply form them at your registered email address.Cindy R.: The reference number for your question is 070401-001060Cindy R.: Please provide me the alternative email address so that they can get back to youBrian: brian@canuckscorner.comCindy R.: okay

Pull the trigger and move as soon as you are able. This company clearly can't support your needs.

As for funds...if you put out a donation request and a suggested amount I'm sure you'll get a good response from the regulars on this site. Mabye just keep an update of how much you need and how much has been donated. A list of who has pitched in would encourage people to help out as well.

Pull the trigger and move as soon as you are able. This company clearly can't support your needs.

As for funds...if you put out a donation request and a suggested amount I'm sure you'll get a good response from the regulars on this site. Mabye just keep an update of how much you need and how much has been donated. A list of who has pitched in would encourage people to help out as well.

Thanks,

My goal, as it always has been is to cover the costs myself. If I decide that a more stable and robust host is needed, we do a fund raisng drive for this year only. After that I hope the ads on the site will renew and cover any future costs.

I am looking at a few options. Right now I just need some time to actually talk to a sales person and get some confidence that more money will mean better service and a more stable site. That old saying of getting what you paid for is starting to ring true here.

DavidPratt_ wrote:I was thinking about it until I remembered that you had the audacity to suggest that JamesOwnsSam and I were the SAME person (just because I sent him some Messier photos from my personal Internet account)! This cougar-hunter roams solo!

dp

Those were good times.....I was taking a lot of heat on that one....its all fun & games until you are found to be siding with the enemy(JOS11 in this case)...funny stuff...good luck on the hunt !!

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.-- Winston Churchill

DavidPratt_ wrote:I was thinking about it until I remembered that you had the audacity to suggest that JamesOwnsSam and I were the SAME person (just because I sent him some Messier photos from my personal Internet account)! This cougar-hunter roams solo!

dp

Those were good times.....I was taking a lot of heat on that one....its all fun & games until you are found to be siding with the enemy(JOS11 in this case)...funny stuff...good luck on the hunt !!

I'm just kidding by the way about Jamesownsam. I always roam solo when I'm hunting cougars. But if I was looking for a wingman, you'd be there buddy.